Rotary pressing machine improvements



Oct. 7, 1958 o. H. LANGEN ETAL 2,854,7f69

ROTARY PRESSING MACHINE IMPROVEMENTS Filed March 16, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 o B 55 401A 49 u J 50X 56 5+ K 5o so W74 49x 48D 4 B l'! a x N 2 NR 2 a 4 F2 INVENTORS OLE H- LRNGEN RALPH L. DUGGGR INA/E) Oct. 7, 1958 o. H. LANGEN ET AL 2,854,769

ROTARY PRESSING MACHINE IMPROVEMENTS Filed March 16, 1956 s Sheets-Sheet 2 BY PM 4770x061:

Oct. 7, 1958 H.'LANGEN ETAL 2,854,769

ROTARY, PRESSING MACHINE IMPROVEMENTS. Filed March 1a, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 son A ,ono

OPERRT \N@ 5195110" INVENTORS OLE w LRNGEN emsss mum L- myeeER United States Patent 2,854,769 ROTARY PRESSING MACHINE INIPROVEMENTS Ole H. Langen and Ralph L. Dugger, Minneapolis, Minn., assignors to The Unipress Company, Incorporated, Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application March 16, 1956,'Serial No. 572,101 4 Claims. (Cl. 385) This invention relates to improvements in rotary pressing machines of the type having a plurality of individual presses mounted on a platform of low elevation which is arranged to rotate on a vertical axis. Such rotary pressing machines are exemplified in Patent 2,669,044 and various other patents of the prior art.

All modern pressing machines of this type and as exemplified in the aforesaid patent and other patents of the prior art utilize separate individual presses of the type having steam heated presser heads and usually also have steam heated bucks. The mechanism in each press for moving the head against the buck for pressing, is almost always an air motor which is controlled automatically by the rotation of the common platform on which the presses are collectively mounted. Commonly, a pipe having a rotary gland therein is aligned co-axially with the axis of rotation of the platform and compressed air is conducted therethru to the rotary platform and thence to the individual presses thereon so as to serve as an air supply of each press. Controls for each press are provided for automatically and appropriately valving the air supply of each press, as it is carried on the plat form to accomplish actuation of each press to and from closed position, as the presses are moved thru a circular path of motion by said platform. In addition, according to prior art practice steam is conducted to and steam condensate is returned from the rotary platform thru pipes each having its rotary gland, and arranged co-axially in respect to the axis of rotation of the rotary platform. The necessity for co-axial alignment of such plurality of pipes and rotary glands for the conducting working fluids (air, steam and condensate) to and from the rotary frame and for control of one such fluid for operating the presses, has presented problems of design, construction and maintenance that are not always easily solved.

-It is an object of this invention to alleviate the aforesaid problems by providing a combined conduit, rotary gland and multiple control for the press actuating fluid (commonly, compressed air), according to which such fluid is conducted to the rotary frame and appropriately and selectively valved and distributed to the individual presses, thereby obviating separate controls on each press.

It is a further object of this invention to provide improved rotary pressing machines wherein air or other operating fluid is conducted thru a combined conduit, rotary gland and rotary valve, to the individual presses.

It is another object of the invention to provide a combined facility in rotary pressing machines wherein compressed air is conducted to and directly valved and delivered to the individual presses and automatically exhausted.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a unitary facility for conducting air to the individual pressing machines and appropriately and automatically delivering such air to the individual presses and exhausting the same therefrom and in addition, thru said facility deliveripg steam or other heating fluid and conducting back con-.

- moved at its regular pace in succession cally actuating controls of each densate water or spent heating fluid, from the presses of said rotary frame.

Other and further objects of the invention are those inherent in the invention herein illustrated and described and claimed.

Figure l is a plan view of a rotary press which is illustrative in the invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view, partly schematic of the pressing machine of Figure 1, this view being taken along the line and in the direction of arrows 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary vertical sectional view thru one form rotary gland and valve component forming an element of the invention.

Figure 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary vertical sectional view, similar to Figure 3, of another form of rotary gland and valve component forming an element of the invention and in which all fluid conduits, rotary glands and the 4 working fluid valving arrangements are combined;

Figure 5 is a horizontal plan view, viewed downwardly, of the lower portion of the device shown in Figure 4, showing principally the valving face; and also illustrates the air facilities, air channels and parts of the embodiment shown in Figure 3; and

Figure 6 is a horizontal plan view, viewed upwardly, of the under surface of the upper portion of the device shown in Figure 4, showing principally the valve porting.

In general it may be stated that rotary pressing machines of the type of which the present invention is an improvement consist of a rotary turntable of low elevation that is adapted to be which there are mounted a plurality of individual pressing machines. The individual presses may be the laundry or garment pressing type and may have the same or different types of bucks and heads or interchangeable bucks and heads for pressing the same or different portions of garments or laundry items. While rotary pressing machines of this type may be built as a unitary structure, for ease of manufacture and reduction in cost it has been found that ordinary individual air driven, steam heated, pressing machines of a design that are normally mounted directly on a floor, may be used to advantage, such individual pressing machine being mounted in regularly spaced relationship around the periphery of the rotary turntable of low elevation. In such mechanical organization the presses are thus rotated one at a time in front of an operator station. At or slightly ahead of the op erators station, the press is automatically controlled by its rotary movement so as to actuate the press to open press position and the operator may, without moving from her position, remove the pressed garment and lay an unpressed garment on the buck. Usually the rotation of the pressing machine rotary platform is continuous (but it may be operator-controlled), the removal of the pressed garment and replacement of the unpressed garments on the bucks of the several presses being effected while each press thru the operator station. Then as each press of the pressing machine progresses in succession along its rotary path of motion it reaches a position adjacent to but slightly beyond the operator station where provision is made for automatipress to cause the presser head to move against the buck into pressing relationship therewith.

In the prior art presses valve controls were provided on each press and arranged to be operated by various means, such as cams mounted on'the floor or upon supports and which are engaged by appropriate mechanisms on the presses, as it moves past a predetermined station, to inject air into the air motors of that press. The press was then closed automatically and then remained closed so long as air was continued to be supplied durl atented Oct. 7, 1958 placed on the floor and upon.

path of motion. At a predetermined station, knownas the opening station, appropriate valve controls on each press have been provided, and arranged to be actuated by other-cams or other-mechanisms; such astimers, so as to release the air line pressure, so as tocause-the press to open, and it then-is in -an-opencondition when it again reaches the operator station: In the usual prior art machine the bucks and heads of the presses are continuously-heated by incoming steam-which -enter s thru the steam line and condensate is continuously or periodically withdrawn thru the condensate return line.

It is in-this class of pressing machines that theinven; tionhereinafter described constitutes improvements. For purposes of illustration, but not by way of limitation-there is herein-illustrated-a rotary pressing machine resembling that shown in the Patent 2,669,044.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Figures 1 and 2, the pressing machine includes a central floor ring which is adapted to be placed or bolted on the floor 11 on which the pressing machine is installed. Upon the ring It) which serves as a central stationary pivot, there is mounted a suitable bearing 18 which is mounted in the fiangel of the circular rotary frame plate 17. The bearing 18 serves as a thrust bearing and pivot bearing so as to receive the weight load at the center of the rotary frame plate 1'7 and provide a center of rotation,

The plate 1'7 is preferably of circular shape and near its periphery it is reinforced by ring channels 20 and 21 which are positioned so that their flanges are oppositely directed and are of such a diameter a s to leave a space between the webs of the flanges. Within this space are mounted a plurality of wheels 22. Greatest rigidity is provided by placing two or more of the wheels 22 under each of the presses that are mounted upon the rotary frame plate 17 so as to steady the plate 17 against vibration due to the opening and closing of the, presses. Plate 171may, if desired, have radial stiffening webs not illustrated in order to increase its rigidity. The wheels 22'may have rubber tires, if desired, and the Wheels 22 may run directly upon the floor 11 where the floor has sufficient evenness. Where the installation is made on a rough or uneven floor 11, it is preferable to place a circular sheet metal track 24 on the floor along the path where the wheels 22 track. The axis of each of the wheels 22 is radial in respect to the central pivot axis.

For rotating the circular frame plate 17 and all elementscarried thereon, there is provided a belt 25 which may be a chain belt, as shown in Figure 1, which passes over a pulley 26 that is mounted on radial arm 27, the arm being pivoted at 23 to the floor. An adjustment screw 3%} mounted in the stationary bracket 31, is positioned so as to bear against the arm 27 so as to move it arcuately and thus permit tightening or loosening of the belt 25. The belt 25 also runs over the driven pulley 32. The pulley 32 rotates at slow speed and is preferably driven by an electric motor 34 through a gear box. It is preferable to use a motor 34 which is capable of speed variations, such as a wound-rotor repulsion induction motor, a shunt type direct current motor or thelike. It is perfectly feasible to utilize an air driven motor 3;; for constant or variable speed application where such is desired. The on-off and speed controls for motors 34 are appropriately selected for controlling speed and operation of the motor 34 and may be mounted on a panel -66 which forms a vertical fence at the: left of operator station 37.

Upon the rotary base 37 there are mounted a plurality of pressing machines generally designated A, B, C and D in Figures 1 and 2. Any suitable number of pressing machines greater than one may be utilized, depending upon the size and capacity of the unit and the type of work desired to be done by means of the installation. Four pressing machines are shown in the illustrated embodiment of the invention and are spaced evenly around the rotary frame plate 17. The rotation of the frame plate 17 is in the direction of the arrow 35 and rotation of the drive pulley 32 is shown by the arrow 36. An operator station indicated by the floor pad 37 extends through approximately one-quarter of the circular path of motion of the floor plate 17 and press AD mounted thereon. Adjacent the terminating edge 38 of the operator station, there is provided a protective guard 40 which likewise extends through approximately one-quarter of the path of rotation of the floor 17 and the presses; mounted thereon. The guard 40 roughly defines the position of a press at the closing station, it being understood. that the guard extends somewhat ahead of and behind the position at which the presses close at the closing station and is sufiiciently high so as adequately to safeguard any person from introducing members of their body into the press while the press is closing. From the termination of the closing station, which is at the position approximately shown by press D in Figure l, and continuing in the direction of arrow 35, there is .a portion of the path of motion during which the pressing part of the cycle takes place. During this portion of the cycle the pressing head is closed down upon the buck and is held down (closed) so lon as line air pressure is maintainedon the air motor of the press. The opening station is between the position in which press B is shown in Figure l, whichis still closed, and the leading edge 41 of the operator station. At the opening station each press is opened by discontinuing the application of line air-pressure and exhausting the air motor of the press, whereupon the press will then be opened by its springs, as is well known.

Adjacent the leading edge of the guard 41} there is a control panel generally designated 46, which serves as a fence, and on which the on-off controls of motor 34 and speedcontrols therefor, and emergency controls, are located convenient to the operator. i

The presses AD (or any number which are mounted upon the rotaryv floor plate 17), may be of any desired individually power driven presses. Present day presses arev usually air driven and in the embodiment of the,

invention herein illustrated, the presses A-D are of the type shown in Patent Re. 22,041, although it is to be understood that any suitable one or two cylinder air press, or other power driven press may be utilized. Thus, for example, the presses AD can be single cylinder air driven presses of which the type shown in Patent 2,265,449 is exemplary, or they can be multiple air cyl inder presses. V

in the exemplified showing of the invention illustrated in Figure 2, each of the pressing machines includes a frame 52 which is suitably'attacned to the circular revolving frame plate 17. In the presses shown, each has a press frame and upon the frame 52 is mounted a stationary buck 54.and a presser arm 55 which is pivoted at 56. The presser arm carries a presser head 57 which is movable from an open position (as shown for press A at the left in Figure 2), to the closed position (as shown for press D at the right Figure 2). The movement of the press from open to closed position and from closed to open position is accomplished by means of air or other fluid motors. in the present instance the air motor 53, 61 that actuates the presser head operates as follows:

Air'is introduced from the air pressure supply line 92 through the combined air line, gland'and rotary valve 48, the operation of which will be described hereinafter, and

thence through air line 48D, leading to closing cylinder ing of the presser head 57 against buck 54. The press remains closed until such time the valve 48 cuts 01f air flow communication from air supply lines 92 andes-.

tablishes air flow communication between air line 4813 Plat . and the exhaust line 94. At this time air is exhausted from cylinders 58, 61 and the press opens under action of springs (not shown). exhausting air from the scribed hereinafter.

In Patent Re. 22,041, which explains the operation of presses of this type, the air cylinders for operating the press are energized through two-hand control valves that are (in the case of single pressing machine), located near the front of the pressing machine on the work table beneath the bucks. In the present instance the individual control valves of each press are entirely discarded and the valving of compressed air to the press and shut-off and exhaust of the air from each press is automatically acaforementioned cylinder is decomplished by a rotary valve which is built into the' rotary gland of the air pressure line of the press.

This is accomplished as follows:

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the steam condensate 49 and steam line 50 are co-axial and are aligned with the center line CL of rotation of the rotary frame 17. Each line enters from above and terminates at a rotary gland (49A and 50A, respectively) which also serve as junctions from and to which the individual steam condensate return lines 49 and steam lines 50' radiate to the individual presses.

In the Figure 3 modification the compressed air supply and valving facility is separated from the steam and condensate supply facilities. Thus generally designated at 48, there is provided a combined air line, gland and rotary valve. This is composed of a valve port component 80 and a valve component 81. The valve port component 80 is cylindrical and has a flange 82 extending out near its lower edge and thru which the studs 83 pass for attaching component co-axially in respect to the centerline of rotation of platform 17 at the large central hole 17A. Hence the valve port component 80 rotates with the rotary platform.

In component 80 there are a plurality of air passages, one for each press. These are shaped as shown in Figure 3 and are arranged at even angular spacings, as shown in Figure 6. It may be noted parenthetically that Figures 5 and 6 are views of the modification shown in Figure 4, in which the steam, steam condensate and air supplies and the rotary air valving facilities are combined, but in so far as the air facility, air channels and ports are concerned, these views in Figures 5 and 6 equally well illustrate the separated air gland and rotary valve facility of Figure 3. Thus the air passages designated 83A, 83B, 83C and 83D, are positioned radially spaced at 90 intervals as shown in Figure 6, to correspond to the spacings of the presses AD on frame 17. Each air channel is like an inverted L and begins at a port in the fiat circular valve face 84 of member 80, and thence rises (as at 83BX and 83DX) and terminates at a threaded aperture (83BY and 83DY). From aperture 83BY, a line 48B leads directly to the operating air cylinders of press B, with the result that when compressed air is introduced thru rotary valve 48 to port 83B and to line 48B, press B closes. When supply of compressed air to line 48B is discontinued and line 48B is vented to exhaust press B opens due to bias springs, not shown. Each press, A, B, C and D is similarly served and has a single air supply line 48A, 48B, 48C and 48D which is connected to the valve port component 80.

The component 88 (which rotates with the press frame 17) has a smooth flat concentric downwardly directed valve face 84, which has a central hole 85 drilled in it to act as a pivot hole. The delivery of air to this valve face is via the component 81 which is stationary. The latter component is generally cylindrical and it likewise has a smooth upper valve face 86 with a central stub shaft 85A which enters the hole 85 to act as a pivot.

Component 81 has a flange 87 all around and against the under side of this flange, there is resiliently drawn upwardly a ring 88 which is held by capscrews 89-89.

The control for supplying and Springs 90 rest on washers held by the heads of the c5 5 screws and the upper ends of the springs resiliently ele-;

the cycle, of circular travel of the presses and by the Figure form, and the pipe 50 and hole 184 and clearance 184C Wlll therefore not appear in respect to the Figure 3.

.. passage 93 to exhaust line '86P and 86E corresponds to the diameter of the ports position of the end of the pressing zone, namely the press open. The arcuate length of the operating station is the short arc between the press opens position and the press closes' position, minus port clearance at each end. See Figure 5. Thus enough clearance is allowed between the end of groove 86P (at the end marked End of Pressing Zone) and the adjacent end of groove 86E (which is marked Press Open) so as not to permit the ends of the grooves to be overlapped by the ports. As shown in Figure 3, component 81 has a passageway 91 the upper end of which terminates at groove 86? and the lower end of which is tapped so as to be connected to the compressed air supply main 92. Air under pressure is thus applied to the groove 86P in valve face 86 and when such groove underlies any of the ports 83X 83DX, air under pressure will be delivered to the air motor of the presses connected thereto.

The groove 86E (for exhausting the air motors) has a much shorter arcuate length and a connecting passageway 93 is provided in 81, see Figure 3, the upper end of which terminates in groove 86E extends down thru member 81 and terminates at a threaded port to which the air cX- haust line 94 is connected. Hence whenever groove 86E underlies any of the ports 83AX-83DX such port will be exhausted, with consequent exhaust of the air motor of the particular press connected thereto. Such press will open due to its contained springs (not shown).

Referring to Figure 5, this view shows the upper valve face 86 of valve component 81 as though component 81 were separated and viewed from above. It will be remembered that Figures 5 and 6 are specifically views of the form, but will be substituted by the shaft 85A on component 81 and hole 85A on component 80. In other respects Figures 5 and 6 may be considered as illustrating both forms Figures 3 and 4. Thus, in Figure 5 it will be observed that the compressed air supply line 92 delivers compressed air upwardly thru channel 91 to the arcuate slot 86P. In this view may also be observed the groove 86E thru which air may be exhausted downwardly thru 94. The radial width of grooves 83AX-83DX which are shown (in one press position) in dotted lines in Figure 5. Note that these ports are spaced 90 radially apart, corresponding to the spacing of the presses A-D. Of course the four ports rotate around and hence successively traverse grooves 86P and 86E. One additional position EX also shown in dotted lines in Figure 5, thru which all of the ports 83AX83DX move.

The rotation of the ports is clockwise, i. e. in the direction arrow '35. Note, that in Figure 6, this arrow is counterclockwise and contrary to the direction shown in Figures 1 and 5. This is because in Figure 6, the component 80 is as viewed from the under side.

Thus as in Figure 5 when any port, as for example 83AX, moves in the direction of arrow 35, it will reach the Press Close position, and air is introduced from line 92, thru passage 91, arcuate groove 86P to that port (here illustrated by port 83AX), thence thru component 80 of the rotary gland and valve 48, thence via the connection pipe (here illustrated as pipe 48A), to the press A, which assar/ea accordingly closes, and such press will remain closed so long as air continues to be supplied to it. This duration is determined by the arcuate length of the groove 86F in the direction of arrow. When each port reaches the end of the groove 86P, as is here illustrated by the legend End of Pressing Zone, and as shown for port 83DX, the air supply is shut off as the port runs off the end of the groove. Then, after passing the clearance space (between the legends End Pressing Zone and Press Opens), the port runs onto the near end of the exhaust groove 86E (here illustrated by the position fEX) and air from the press under consideration is exhausted to atmosphere via groove 86E, passage 93 and exhaust line94 and the press opens due to its bias springs. Thecondition of being exhausted is maintained for each press while passing thru the foperator Station due tothe arcuate length of slot 86E, and the press is hence maintained safe at the Operator Station? It cannot close.

It will thus be seen that by means of this rotary valve and gland facility 48, there is accomplished not only the conduction of compressed air to the rotary frame thus accomplishing the rotary gland function, but in the same device the air is automatically valved so that, at the appropriate position, air is given to each pressrnot r in succession to close its press and to hold it closed, and at a later point along the circular path of travel of the presses, each press motor is automatically exhausted to open the press and it is maintained exhausted and hence safe until passing from the Operator Station.

The modification shown in Figure 4, and of which Figures and 6 are views, as previously explained, com-. blues in one unit the rotary gland and rotary valve functions of the element 43 of Figure 3 and, in additionineludes the steam and condensate return gland functions of elements 49 and 50 of Figure 3. To accomplish this,.the element 80 (of Figure 3) is made taller and it and element 31 are provided with aligned central boreholes .184,- 185. In Figure 4 the lower part of element, 180, below line T--T corresponds to element 8%? of Figure. 3 and above line T-T, there is a condensate return chamber 182 having tapped holes in the wall thereof to receive the condensate return lines 49A-49D. The top wall of chamber 182 has stuffing box 183 thru which steam pipe 50 passes upwardly to rotary steam gland 50X to which the steam supply pipes 5A 50D are coupled and radiate to.the individual presses. The condensate return chamberlfil has a conical bottom leading to a borehole 134 in member 181, this hole being sufficiently large to provide .a clearance space 184C around the steam pipe 50.

The lower element 181 is identical with element 81 of Figure 3, except for the borehole 185 which aligns with borehole 184 of element 186. The lower end of hole 185 is tapped to receive condensate return pipe 186.

Also in Figure 4, element lfitlis provided witha flange at 187 which matches a groove at 183 in element 181, to act as a journal and to assist in keeping condensate water from the valve faces 84 and 86, and 0-ring seal may be provided at 189.

The air ports, passages etc. of elements 180 and 181 correspond to thosealreacly described with reference to Figure 3.

In the form shown in Figure 4 only one rotary gland as such is required, namely 51, the rotary gland funce tions for the remaining two fluids (air; and condensate) being accomplished by elements 180 and 181.

If desired pipe SO-may be withdrawn from borehole 184 18 5 and entered to rotary gland from above, in which event it is only necessary claimedwillbe apparent to those skilled in the art, and

the invention is thereforenot be to be limited except as stated'in'the appended claims. A i

What we claim is: i l. A pressing machine having a rotary frame upon which are mounted a plurality of presses which are moved. in succession pastan operator station, a closing station, thcnce th ru a pressingzone and an opening station and thence again to said operator station and in which such presses each has a heated pressing element including a buck, a presser head mounted for movement toward and away from said buck and means for normally biasing said head away from the buck, and an air motor for moving said head against said buck and for holding it there so long as air under pressure is applied to. said air motor, an air-valving rotary gland means coaxial with th'e axis of rotation of said frame and including a stationary valve-gland component connectable to air supply and exhaust lines and also including a cooperat-.

ing rotary valve gland component mounted to rotate with said frame connected to the air motors of said presses, said valve components including cooperating air supply and exhaust ports and valving passageways for introducing air supply to each press air motor at said closing station and for maintaining said air supply thru said pressing zone and for exhausting air from each press air motor at said opening station.

2. The pressing machine of claim 1 further characterized in that said valve elements are constructed so as to maintain each press air operator station.

3. The pressing machine of claim 1 further characterized in that said cooperating rotatable valve gland element includes a chamber connected to the heated pressing elements of said press and a passage communicating with a cooperating passage thru said stationary valve gland element.

4. The pressing machine of claim 3 further character ized in that a stationary fluid line is passed coaxially thru said passage and cooperating passage and has a rotary gland connected thereto on said rotary frame.

motor exhausted thruout said References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,068,705 Pratt et al Jan. 26, 1937 2,497,128 Leef Feb. 14, 1950 2,556,477 Leef June 12, 1951 2,632,965 Leef Mar. 31, 1953 2,669,044 Maxwell et al. Feb. 16, 1954 to plug the stuffir g box 183, The chamber. 182 is then used as before and the 

